21st century treasure hunting with the National Trust and Garmin

This summer, the National Trust is offering visitors an exciting new way to explore its great outdoor places by partnering with GPS experts Garmin.

Geocaching, a family friendly 'digital’ treasure hunt, will be taking place at over 40 National Trust places across the country [1]. Visitors will be able borrow a Garmin handheld GPS device to guide them to treasure 'caches' hidden in the countryside and coastland of National Trust sites.

These modern-day treasure-hunts are a fun way for visitors to get out and really experience the outdoors with the National Trust.

Andrew Silver, Senior Product Manager for Fitness and Outdoor at Garmin said:

"Geocaching is a great way for families and people of all ages to get outdoors and discover hidden places using a Garmin GPS and opencaching.com. At National Trust places this summer, you can have fun and get rewards, but also learn useful techniques such as how to read maps and co-ordinates. Garmin is really pleased to be able to offer this new activity to people who love to experience beautiful National Trust places.”

The partnership between the National Trust and Garmin is part of the Trust's vision to encourage more people to enjoy the outdoors.

Over the forthcoming months, Garmin will be hosting taster sessions at National Trust places, so visitors from across England, Wales and Northern Ireland can become 21st century treasure hunters.

For more information on geocaching, visit www.opencaching.com

Notes to editors:

[1] In partnership with Garmin, the National Trust will be creating new geocaches at over 40 of its estates, gardens and countryside locations across the UK during 2011.  Visitors can already enjoy the challenge of geocaching at a number of Trust locations including:

Wicken Fen Cambridgeshire
Wicken Fen is the UK’s oldest Nature Reserve, offering a tranquil expanse of countryside where four caches are waiting to be found.  Each has a wildlife or habitat themed box, carefully hidden on a trail that takes you into the wider Wicken Fen area where you can see Konik Ponies and Highland Cattle grazing.  Every box contains a family-friendly activity to do on site, such as mini-beast hunting, cloud-spotting or brass rubbing. As you track down the caches, remember to look out for wildlife – perhaps kingfisher, marsh harrier, cuckoo or roe deer will come your way.
 
Clent Hills, Nr Birmingham

The Clent Hills have four caches to discover, each cache has been carefully hidden to provide a family friendly ramble taking in woodland, meadows and some spectacular views. The contents of the caches change on a regular basis so people can revisit and have new treasure to find.

Roseberry Topping, North Yorkshire
 
There are four National Trust caches hidden in different parts of Roseberry Topping. To find them you'll have to explore Newton Wood, Cliff Ridge Wood and Roseberry itself to find the answer clues that will lead you to the caches. Do all three of these to reveal the location of the final cache on Newton Moor.
 
Yorkshire Coast, North Yorkshire
 
There are two caches on the Yorkshire Coast. Uncover facts about the wildlife and industrial past of Warsett Hill to reveal the location of the cache or take a tour around the picturesque fishing village of Staithes to find the cache on Cowbar Nab.
 
Scarth Wood Moor, North Yorkshire
 
Take a stroll around Scarth Wood Moor to find answers to the clues that will reveal the location of the final cache. There are spectacular views to enjoy along the way too.

Tyntesfield, Bristol 

One of the National Trust’s first geocaching trails, Tyntesfield has boxes that have been located in the wooded parkland. The caches are themed around the wildlife, habitats and history of the area and include key facts about how the Trust is caring for the woodland and its wildlife. Each treasure box also contains an interactive family-friendly activity for visitors to enjoy.

With more than 250,000 hectares of countryside and 710 miles of coastline across England, Wales and Northern Ireland there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors with the National Trust. Find out more at: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/.

 
About Geocaching

A geocache or ‘cache’ is a small waterproof box hidden outdoors. It contains a logbook and pen for signing (to let fellow geocachers know you were there) and small trinkets such as collectable geo-coins, books, toys or jewellery. Caches are planted in hidden locations across the countryside at National Trust properties.
Geocachers seek out these hidden goodies guided by information and GPS coordinates, or ‘waypoints’ posted on the Internet.
Using a Garmin GPS device, you can explore an area with your family to locate a cache. Once discovered, you may find this contains a reward for you to keep.
If you take something out of a cache, you should leave something in return. Always leave the cache in the same place and in the same condition as it was found for the next visitor.
Visit www.opencaching.com for more information.

About Garmin
 
The global leader in satellite navigation, Garmin Ltd. and its subsidiaries have designed, manufactured, marketed and sold navigation, communication and information devices and applications since 1989 – most of which are enabled by GPS technology.  Garmin’s products serve automotive, mobile, wireless, outdoor recreation, marine, aviation, and OEM applications. Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. For more information visit Garmin's media centre at http://garmin.blogs.com/ukpr. Garmin is a registered trademark and GHP, GHC and GWS are trademarks of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries.  All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved.